"Germany is a rich country, they talk about increasing it [defense spending - TASS] a tiny bit by 2030". "We believe the pipeline would undermine Europe's overall energy security and stability by providing Russian Federation another tool for the political coercion of European countries, especially Ukraine".

The gas pipeline will not cross transit countries such as Ukraine, Belarus and Poland, running through the exclusive economic zones and territorial waters of Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. Royal Dutch Shell Plc, BASF SE's Wintershall unit, Uniper SE, OMV AG and Engie SA have agreed to provide Gazprom with financing for the project and could theoretically be hit by sanctions.

"We discussed it with Ukraine, [for example]".

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has called Nord Stream 2 a "political bribe" from Russian Federation to Germany.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis told The Washington Times last month that the pipeline is a risky project created to help Russian President Vladimir Putin expand his power.

Ms. Merkel rejected the idea that Germany is in danger of falling under Moscow's control.

"I've experienced myself a part of Germany controlled by the Soviet Union", she said.

In addition to the president, other US officials have taken to the world stage this week to decry the project.

"President Trump's brazen insults and denigration of one of America's most steadfast allies, Germany, is an embarrassment", House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement. "And we can not lose sight of that".

But Trump's harsh criticism of Germany echoes statements from US officials from past administrations, including Kerry himself, according to recently resurfaced videos, the Washington Free Beacon reported.

Canada also said it had doubts about the Nord Stream 2 project that would be used to export gas to Germany.

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